Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed

[LeTiger]

I'd just like to chip in (if it isn't to late) that its totally fine to trust your lens to a non-canon mount ring.


When I got my 70-200 I had barely enough money to get any D-Ring, let alone Canon's, so I went with a "cheapie" on ebay for $30.


Sure, with Canon you get name, quality, and consistency, I always kept telling myself that I would upgrade to the brand-name bracket once I got some more cash.





3 years later and some hundred thousand shots later I still haven't gotten around to it.





If you can find one for cheap (I mean less than $100 cheap) I'd spring for it, but as long as your not a perfectionist, you'll be surprised what the offbrand can do.


Just my 2c


- G

[btaylor]

I'm with LeTiger on this one. Usually I have no issues coughing up the extra cash for genuine Canon gear but nothing in my mind lets me justify $150 (that's US$ too not Aussie $$$) for a tripod ring. I've been using an aftermarket ring with my 70-200mm f/4L IS for ages and it's been fine.


I'm sorry but $150 for something like that just seems outrageous to me.


-Ben

[ddt0725]

The Photoeks are my favorites. I have the 60" and the 36". The 36" with the inserts have reduced my desire for AC lights and a power pack since the light is so close to a beauty dish.

Keith -

The photos taken with the Photoeks arereally impressive but some reviews I read last night (Ithink on B&H) made it sound like its a hassle to set-up and use with speedlights, which is what I would be using. You don't find them time consuming to setup or a hassle to use?

Denise

[Keith B]

Well, I've worked with a lot of photographers that use traditional octoboxes and softboxes and those are cumbersome and time consuming. These go up quick compared. If you shoot E-TTL they are cake. If you shoot manual they can be a little troublesome until you get to know the setups.


If my manual settings aren't right I find it easy to pull 2-3 eyelets off and make the adjustment. I will always trade a little extra work for good quality light. The key is to practice and get to know the light set up and it becomes almost automatic.


The shot I had posted ealier was shot full manual and I had it up in 5 minutes and moved in and out of a couple rooms and done in 20 minutes broke it down in less than 10.I won't lie there is a little work involve but the result is so worth it.


I kind of get pretty turned off by the term "strobist". In my mind it is synonymous with laziness. It's all about quick and dirty then fix it in post. Obviously not everyone who is a a "strobist" but a lot of them. I try to keep it in mind this an art and is really worth taking your time and doing right.